Here is who national experts are predicting will win Chiefs-Chargers game Sunday night
The Chargers moved to Los Angeles ahead of the 2017 season, and on Sunday night they’ll be looking for their first home victory against the Chiefs since leaving San Diego.
Coming into the “Sunday Night Football” contest, the Chiefs have won eight straight overall at the Chargers’ home field. The last two games went to overtime.
A year ago, tight end Travis Kelce weaved his way to the end zone for a walkoff touchdown, and in 2020, Harrison Butker won it with a 58-yard field goal that he actually made twice. It may have been his finest day with the Chiefs.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes enters Sunday night on a roll. He has thrown for 1,200 yards with eight touchdowns and a 106.1 passer rating in his last three games.
“Right when you think you got him, he can make that last throw or right when you have him, he can make it,” Chargers safety Derwin James told reporters about Mahomes leading up to the game. “Just being able to play him honest and straight up, he can do a lot so we’ve got to be ready.”
Can the Chiefs beat the Chargers Sunday evening? Here is what 63 national experts are saying about the game, which kicks off at 7:20 p.m.. and will air on KSHB (Ch. 41).
A 30-21 Chiefs win is the prediction from Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times. Here is a snippet from his story: “The Chargers tend to play the Chiefs tough, so should be interesting for a while. But the Chargers are broken down, just losing two more interior stoppers on their defensive line. Kansas City pulls away.”
Taking the Chiefs are Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith and Mike Florio. Smith sees a 30-20 score. He wrote in part: “Patrick Mahomes is on his way toward another MVP award, and the Chargers just aren’t playing at the level a team with their talent should.” Florio called a 35-27 final. He wrote: “Kansas City keeps getting better and better. The Chargers keep spinning their wheels in the mud.”
A 31-28 Chiefs victory is the prediction from Bill Bender of the Sporting News. Here is an excerpt from his story: “The Chiefs have scored 40-plus points in three of their four road games, and they have a chance to win a ninth straight game at the Chargers’ home field. Patrick Mahomes II maintains the hot hand, and the Chiefs continue to look like the team to beat in the AFC.”
Four of six writers at USA Today picked the Chiefs: Chris Bumbaca (29-26 final score), Nate Davis (31-23), Safid Deen (33-27) and Lorenzo Reyes (30-20). Picking the Chargers: Jarrett Bell (33-30) and Tyler Dragon (26-24).
A 30-22 Chiefs win is the prediction from NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal. This is part of what he wrote: “The return of Mike Williams and Keenan Allen would help immensely, but they don’t play defense. Mahomes is torturing defenses by moving them with his eyes and running more when he absolutely needs it. The cavalry (Joey Bosa) hasn’t arrived for the Chargers’ defense, a group that should get dominated up front.”
A 34-24 Chiefs win is the prediction from FanSided’s Matt Verderame. He wrote: “With a victory, the Chiefs essentially clinch a seventh straight AFC West title. While the Chargers will put up a fight, expect that to be the result.”
A 33-30 Chiefs win is the prediction from Yardbarker’s Chris Mueller. Here is a snippet from his story: “The Chiefs were on cruise control against Jacksonville, jumping out to a 17-0 lead and never bothering to put the pedal fully down on the Jaguars. That’s the mark of a team pacing itself for the playoffs, at least from my vantage point. As of now, the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC runs through Kansas City, and that’s very bad news indeed for the rest of the conference. Oh, and Kadarius Toney had his first career touchdown catch last week, too.”
The seven writers at CBS Sports see the Chiefs winning: Pete Prisco, Jared Dubin, Ryan Wilson, Will Brinson, John Breech, Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg. Prisco predicted a 35-27 score. He wrote in part: “This is basically to decide the division for the Chiefs. Win it, and it’s theirs. Lose, and it’s a race. The Chiefs are riding high on offense right now and I think that will show up. Patrick Mahomes will get the best of it against Justin Herbert.”
Each of the three Pro Football Network reporters went with the Chiefs: Dalton Miller (30-20 final score), Dallas Robinson (30-22) and Adam Beasley (30-20). Here is a snippet of what Arif Hassan wrote: “The Chiefs tend to struggle a bit more against divisional opponents than otherwise, and this Chiefs team plays it quite a bit sloppier than previous iterations. But they’re learning how to use all of their new offensive pieces just in time and are getting healthier in the secondary.”
A 31-24 Chiefs victory is the prediction from Athlon Sports’ Eric Sorenson. Here is part of what he wrote: “The return of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will certainly help the Chargers, but I still see the Chiefs playing a better second half and pulling this one out. Again, too many injuries on the defensive side of the ball for L.A.”
All five Audacy writers think the Chiefs will win.
Eight of 10 Athletic writers see the Chiefs prevailing: Nick Kosminder, Tashan Reed, Mark Kaboly, Zack Berman, Austin Mock, Michael-Shawn Dugar, Ben Standig and Larry Holder. Taking the Chargers: Jay Morrison and Josh Kendall. The Athletic writers shared this: “Los Angeles is 4-2 in its last six games after starting the season 1-2. It continues to battle the injury bug, with defensive tackles Otito Ogbonnia and Christian Covington being the latest Chargers added to the injured reserve. Mike Williams and Keenan Allen both practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday, which would boost Justin Herbert if either wide receiver could play against the Chiefs.”
The five Sports Illustrated writers went with the Chiefs: Conor Orr, Gary Grammling, John Pluym, Albert Breer and Mitch Goldich.
The Star’s Jesse Newell sees a 24-21 Chiefs victory.
Seven of eight pundits at ESPN see the Chiefs prevailing: Stephania Bell, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Domonique Foxworth, Dan Graziano, Jason Reid and Seth Wickersham. Taking the Chargers is Jeremy Fowler.
All 10 members of the Dallas Morning-News picked the Chiefs to win: Tim Cowlishaw, Michael Gehlken, Craig Miller, Newy Scruggs, Jean-Jacques Taylor, Calvin Watkins, Dana Larson, Damon Marx, David Moore and Kevin Sherrington.
This story was originally published November 20, 2022 at 6:59 AM.
